BETTER CONNECTED: Taxis and private hire vehicles positioned as key ‘first and last mile’ link in new government transport strategy
- Perry Richardson
- 33 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Taxis and private hire vehicles are set to play a defined supporting role in England’s future transport network, according to the Department for Transport’s newly published strategy, which places the sector at the centre of first and last mile connectivity and flexible travel demand.
The ‘Better Connected’ report outlines how taxis and private hire vehicles will complement buses, rail and active travel as part of a more integrated system designed around user experience rather than individual transport modes. The strategy marks a shift in policy thinking, moving away from siloed transport planning towards a network built on joined-up journeys.
Within urban areas, the strategy identifies taxis and private hire vehicles as essential for bridging gaps in the transport network, particularly for first and last mile journeys. They are also expected to provide services during off-peak periods when traditional public transport is less available, supporting both late-night travel and the wider night-time economy.
The report further states that taxis and private hire vehicles should act as a flexible layer within suburban and rural transport systems. In these areas, where fixed-route services are often less viable, the sector is expected to complement demand responsive transport and community transport schemes, helping passengers connect to mainline bus and rail services.
DfT report highlights role of PHVs and taxis in supporting integrated journeys, night-time economy and accessibility goals
Accessibility is another key area where taxis and private hire vehicles are highlighted. The strategy acknowledges that a significant proportion of disabled passengers lack confidence when travelling and points to the need for more inclusive, door-to-door transport options. Taxis, particularly wheelchair accessible vehicles, are implicitly positioned as part of the solution to closing these gaps in the wider network.
Safety and personal security also underpin the sector’s role. The report notes that passengers want to feel safe when travelling, including when using taxis or private hire vehicles, especially at night. This reinforces the expectation that the sector will remain a regulated and trusted component of the transport system as integration increases.
From an operational standpoint, the strategy places taxis and private hire vehicles within a broader push towards multi-modal journeys. It highlights that only a small proportion of trips currently involve more than one mode of public transport, suggesting significant headroom for growth in integrated journeys where taxis could act as connectors between different legs of travel.
The Department for Transport also signals that future technological developments, including automated vehicles, could eventually integrate with existing taxi and private hire fleets. However, it stops short of outlining specific timelines or regulatory changes, indicating that further detail will follow in subsequent policy work.
While the strategy sets out a clear direction of travel, it does not include detailed funding mechanisms or regulatory reforms specific to the taxi and private hire sector. Industry stakeholders are therefore likely to scrutinise how these ambitions translate into practical support, particularly around vehicle transition, licensing alignment and infrastructure investment.
